Repair of Parastomal Hernias.

Parastomal hernias are an inevitable consequence of ostomy formation and their repairs remain a challenge to many surgeons. With multiple systems of classification and a multitude of techniques for hernia repair ranging from suture to mesh repair, the literature remains sparse with regards to the optimal method of repair. The authors describe the most commonly adopted techniques, discuss preventative measures, and review the current literature in the context of perioperative outcomes and hernia recurrence.

The use of botulinum toxin type a to prepare patients with large ventral hernias for laparoscopic hernioplasty: Our experience.

OBJECTIVE: Aim: To study the effectiveness of BTA in a total dose of 100 IU as the preparation for patients with primary and incisional ventral hernias (VH). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and Methods: The prospective study included 59 patients with large VH (defect ³10 cm). All patients received 100 IU of BTA in abdominal wall muscles 4-5 weeks before surgery from June 2017 to December 2022. An average age of the patients was 59.13 ± 9.07 years, body mass index - 32.20 ± 4.95 kg/m2. RESULTS: Results: An average width of the hernia defect after BTA decreased by 4.5 ± 1.11 cm (p<0.001). An average length of the hernia defect after BTA also decreased, without clinical significance. A significant increase in the length of the abdominal wall and a decrease in its thickness were observed. The abdominal cavity volume after BTA increased by 4.04 ± 4.55% (p=0.008) and the hernial sac volume decreased by 21.43 ± 16.57% (p=0.005). All patients underwent surgery with hernia defect suturing and without component separation: laparoscopic IPOM hernioplasty - 50 (84.7%) patients, open IPOM hernia repair - 7 (11.9%) patients, open sublay hernioplasty - 2 (3.4%) patients. There was no recurrence of hernia during 12 months after surgery. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: The administration of 100 IU BTA allows to increase the length of the abdominal wall muscles and to perform laparoscopic IPOM hernioplasty for patients with large VH.

Perforated appendicitis within a spigelian hernia.

A woman in her 90s presented to the emergency department with new onset pain in a long standing right spigelian hernia. She was febrile and mildly hypotensive. CT scan demonstrated a hernia containing small and large bowel with significant fat stranding and thus proceeded to operative management via an open appendicectomy and suture repair of the hernia. There are few similar cases in the literature, with the predominance being suture repair, a roughly even split between open and laparoscopic approaches.

Diagnosis and surgical treatment of obturator hernia in the recent decade with long-term follow-up: A single center experience.

Obturator hernia (OH) is a rare and dangerous disease that can lead to life-threatening consequences, and pelvic computed tomography (CT) is widely used for its diagnosis. There is no consensus regarding the surgical approach and repair methods. Retrospective analysis of the clinical and follow-up data of 15 cases of incarcerated hernias patients admitted to the Department of General Surgery, affiliated to Taicang Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, from January 2011 to December 2022. OH could be precisely diagnosed with pelvic CT scan, except for occult OH and non-strangulated OH. Thirteen patients underwent emergency surgery, with a total complication rate of 76.9% and no mortality. Ten patients underwent open surgery, and 3 patients underwent laparoscopic surgery, which had advantages in terms of total cost and postoperative hospital stay (P < .05). Emergency patients all underwent simple peritoneal closure, and hernial sac excision was simultaneously performed in 6 of them. A recurrence (7.7%) was detected at 38 months after the first operation. There was no statistically significant difference between the 2 tissue repair methods in terms of recurrent rate. Pelvic CT can be used as a gold standard for the diagnosis of incarcerated OH, but it has limited value in occult OH and non-strangulated OH. Laparoscopic surgery is recommended for patients with a short onset time and no abdominal physical signs. Tissue repair is sufficient for incarcerated OH and hernial sac excision may be unnecessary.

Repair of parastomal hernias with the intraperitoneal funnel meshes IPST-R and IPST.

The treatment of parastomal hernias (PSH) represents a major challenge in hernia surgery. Various techniques have been reported with different outcomes in terms of complication and recurrence rates. The aim of this study is to share our initial experience with the implantation of the DynaMesh-IPST-R and -IPST, intraperitoneal funnel meshes made of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). This is a retrospective observational cohort study of patients treated for PSH between March 2019 and April 2023 using the chimney technique with the intraperitoneal funnel meshes IPST-R or IPST. The primary outcome was recurrence and the secondary outcomes were intraoperative and postoperative complications, the latter assessed using the Clavien-Dindo classification. A total of 21 consecutive patients were treated with intraperitoneal PVDF funnel meshes, 17 with IPST-R and 4 with IPST. There were no intraoperative complications. Overall, no complications occurred in 61.9% (n = 12) of the patients. Major postoperative complications (defined as Clavien-Dindo ≥ 3b) were noted in four cases (19.0%). During the mean follow-up period of 21.6 (range 4.8-37.5) months, one patient (4.8%) had a recurrence. In conclusion, for the treatment of parastomal hernias, the implantation of IPST-R or IPST mesh has proven to be efficient, easy to handle, and very safe. In particular, the low recurrence rate of 4.8%, which is in line with the current literature, is convincing. However, a larger number of patients would improve the validity of the results.

Cord structure within an inguinal hernia: could the ureter be involved?

Inguinal hernias are commonly encountered and are primarily managed by surgeons; however, it is unusual for retroperitoneal structures, such as the ureter, to herniate into it. More importantly, hernias containing ureters are not usually identified preoperatively unless specific imaging was ordered prior, as they are generally asymptomatic. This poses a risk to the patient as unidentified structures can be mistakenly injured during the surgery. We describe a case of a man in his 60s, who presented with a large left-sided indirect inguinoscrotal hernia. Intraoperatively, a large amount of irreducible retroperitoneal fat was encountered in addition to a cord-like structure, which was discovered to be the left ureter after reviewing imaging intraoperatively. Initially, the hernia repair was done robotically, but it was converted to open repair due to its irreducibility and the potential risk imposed on the ureter. Additionally, we discuss the aetiology and common presentations of this kind of hernia.

Perioperative and extended outcomes of patients undergoing parastomal hernia repair following cystectomy and ileal conduit.

PURPOSE: To report perioperative and long-term postoperative outcomes of cystectomy patients with ileal conduit (IC) urinary diversion undergoing parastomal hernia (PSH) repair. METHOD: We reviewed patients who underwent cystectomy and IC diversion between 2003 and 2022 in our center. Baseline variables, including surgical approach of PSH repair and repair technique, were captured. Multivariable Cox regressionanalysis was performed to test for the associations between different variables and PSH recurrence. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients with a median (IQR) age of 79 (73-82) years were included. The median time between cystectomy and PSH repair was 30 (14-49) months. Most PSH repairs (32/36, 89%) were performed electively, while 4 were due to small bowel obstruction. Hernia repairs were performed through open (n=25), robotic (10), and laparoscopic approaches (1). Surgical techniques included direct repair with mesh (20), direct repair without mesh (4), stoma relocation with mesh (5), and stomarelocation without mesh (7). The 90-day complication rate was 28%. In a median follow-up of 24 (7-47) months, 17 patients (47%) had a recurrence. The median time to recurrence was 9 (7-24) months. On multivariable analysis, 90-day complication following PSH repair was associated with an increased risk of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: In this report of one of the largest series of PSH repair in the Urology literature, 47% of patients had a recurrence following hernia repair with a median follow-up time of 2 years. There was no significant difference in recurrence rates when comparing repair technique or the use of open or minimally invasive approaches.

Development of an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Program in Ventral Hernia.

BACKGROUND: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) programs have spread after initial success in colorectal surgery decreasing length of stay (LOS) and decreasing opioid consumption. Adoption of ERAS specifically for ventral hernia patients remains in evolution. This study presents the development and implementation of an ERAS pathway for ventral hernia. METHODS: A multidisciplinary team met weekly over 6 months to develop an ERAS pathway specific to ventral hernia patients. 75 process components and outcome measures were included, spanning multiple phases of care: Preoperative-Clinic, Preoperative Day of Surgery (DOS), Intraoperative, and Postoperative. Preoperative components included education and physiologic optimization. Pain control across phases of care focuses on nonopioid, multimodal analgesia. Postoperatively, the pathway emphasizes early diet advancement, early mobilization, and minimization of IV fluids. We compared compliance and outcome measures between a Pre Go-Live (PGL) period (9/1/2020-8/30/2021) and After Go-live (AGL) period (5/12/2022-5/19/2023). RESULTS: There were 125 patients in the PGL group and 169 patients in the AGL group. Overall, ERAS compliance increased from 73.9% to 82.9% after implementation. Length of stay decreased from an average of 2.27 days PGL to 1.92 days AGL. Finally, the average daily postoperative opioid usage decreased from 25.4 to 13.5 MME after the implementation. DISCUSSION: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery can be successfully applied to the care of hernia patients with improvements in LOS and decreased opioid consumption. Institutional support and multidisciplinary cooperation were key for the development of such a program.

Minimally Invasive Stapled Abdominal Wall Repair: A New Surgical Technique.

Background: Diastasis recti (DR) is a common condition, especially in women after pregnancy, often associated with concomitant hernia defects and defined as a rupture of the midline and a separation of the rectus muscle more than 2 cm. Symptoms related to this are low back pain, urinary incontinence and pelvic prolapse, as well as abdominal bulging and core instability. We analyzed clinical and functional outcomes after treatment of DR alone or associated with midline hernias in 219 patients who underwent a midline reconstruction using miSAR® technique (minimally invasive stapled abdominal wall reconstruction). Methods: Between April 2019 and April 2022, 219 patients were treated with miSAR®. All patients were requested to quantify preoperative and postoperative functional symptoms (urinary incontinence, low back pain, abdominal swelling, and respiratory distress). Results: Twenty-seven men and 192 women underwent the miSAR® technique. The mean body mass index was 23.9 kg/m2. We performed the miSAR® technique in patients affected by incisional midline hernia and umbilical hernia alone or associated with DR. Composite mesh was used in 91.8% of cases. The average operating time was 90 minutes. Seven percent of the patients had postoperative complications, including two retromuscular hematomas, two retromuscular seromas, and one postoperative bleeding event. Two patients were readmitted for bowel obstruction. After surgery, there was symptomatic improvement in urinary incontinence, low back pain, respiratory symptoms, and abdominal swelling; this improvement was confirmed at 6 months and at 1- and 2-year follow-up. At the 1-year follow-up, the overall recurrence rate was 2.83%. Conclusion: miSAR® is a feasible and effective technique and shows promising results in the treatment of DR and ventral hernia. Possible enhancements include use of preoperative Botox to treat defects larger than 6 cm. Multicentric analysis is needed to validate the technique, and longer follow-up is required to assess the recurrence rate.

Short-term outcomes and inflammatory stress response following laparoscopy or robotic-assisted transabdominal preperitoneal inguinal hernia repair (TAPP): study protocol for a prospective, randomized trial (ROLAIS).

BACKGROUND: Inguinal hernia repair is a frequently performed surgical procedure, with laparoscopic repair emerging as the preferred approach due to its lower complication rate and faster recovery compared to open repair. Mesh-based tension-free repair is the gold standard for both methods. In recent years, robotic hernia repair has been introduced as an alternative to laparoscopic repair, offering advantages such as decreased postoperative pain and improved ergonomics. This study aims to compare the short- and long-term outcomes, including the surgical stress response, postoperative complications, quality of life, and sexual function, between robotic-assisted transabdominal preperitoneal (rTAPP) and laparoscopic TAPP inguinal hernia repairs. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial will involve 150 patients from the Surgical Department of the University Hospital of Southern Denmark, randomized to undergo either rTAPP or laparoscopic TAPP. Surgical stress will be quantified by measuring C-reactive protein (CRP) and cytokine levels. Secondary outcomes include complication rates, quality of life, sexual function, and operative times. Data analysis will adhere to the intention-to-treat principle and will be conducted once all patient data are collected, with outcomes assessed at various postoperative intervals. DISCUSSION: This study holds significance in evaluating the potential advantages of robotic-assisted surgery in the context of inguinal hernia repairs. It is hypothesized that rTAPP will result in a lower surgical stress response and potentially lower the risk of postoperative complications compared to conventional laparoscopic TAPP. The implications of this research could influence future surgical practices and guidelines, with a focus on patient recovery and healthcare costs. The findings of this study will contribute to the ongoing discourse surrounding the utilization of robotic systems in surgery, potentially advocating for their broader implementation if the benefits are substantiated. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05839587. Retrospectively registered on 28 February 2023.

Bilateral rectus muscle turning-over for complicated and eventrated abdominal wall hernias: results of a novel method.

PURPOSE: We present a technique for covering large midline loss of abdominal wall using a novel method by autologous tissues. METHODS: Twenty-two patients (body mass index = 35,6 ± 6,9 kg/m2) were involved in the prospective cohort study. Acute and elective cases were included. The gap area was 450.1 ± 54 cm2. The average width of the midline gap was 16,3 ± 3,2 cm. The rectus muscles were mobilized from its posterior sheath. Both muscles were turned by180º medially, so that the complete abdominal wall gap could be covered without considerable tension. Changes in intra-abdominal pressure, quality of life and hernia recurrency were determined. RESULTS: There was no significant increase in the intra-abdominal pressure. Wound infection and seroma occurred in four cases. Bleeding occurred in one case. Pre- and post-operative quality of life index significantly improved (23 ± 13 vs. 47 ± 6; p = 0,0013). One recurrent hernia was registered. The procedure could be performed safely and yielded excellent results. The method was applied in acute cases. The intact anatomical structure of rectus muscles was essential. CONCLUSIONS: The midline reconstruction with bilateral turned-over rectus muscles provided low tension abdominal wall status, and it did not require synthetic mesh implantation.

Hernia 3D training model: a new inguinal hernia 3D-printed simulator.

OBJECTIVE: Barros et al. demonstrated a 3D printed model that exhibits anatomical representativeness, low cost, and scalability. The model was created based on subtraction data obtained from computed tomography scans. Images were modeled and reconstructed in 3D to display the male inguinal region, typically viewed using a laparoscopic approach. To evaluate the functionality and quality of the anatomical representation of the hernia 3D training model. METHODS: A model was created based on subtraction data derived from computed tomography scans of the pelvic bones and lumbar spine using the Blender 3.2.2 software program. Images were modeled and reconstructed in 3D to display the male inguinal region, typically viewed using a laparoscopic approach. Polylactic acid plastic was used to print the model. Some structures were made using ethylene vinyl acetate to enable possible material replacement and model reutilization. Thirty surgeons with various training levels were invited to use the model. Transabdominal inguinal hernioplasty was performed by simulating the same steps as those of a laparoscopic surgery, and the surgeons answered a questionnaire regarding the simulation. RESULTS: Twenty-eight surgeons responded, seven of whom were experts in the treatment of abdominal wall hernias. The model was deemed easy to use, realistic, and anatomically precise, establishing it as a valuable supplement to minimally invasive surgery training. CONCLUSION: The evaluation of this 3D model was favorable, as it accurately depicted the inguinal region anatomically, while also proving to be cost-effective for training purposes. The model could be a good option, particularly beneficial for training surgeons at the beginning of their careers.

Bilateral Lumbar Hernia: A Case Report.

Lumbar hernias are a relatively uncommon occurrence, with two main categories: congenital and acquired. Some acquired hernias are spontaneous, while others are the result of secondary factors such as trauma and surgery. Bilateral primary lumbar hernia is a much rarer occurrence. Abdominal computed tomography is the gold standard for differential diagnosis of bilateral primary lumbar hernia. The treatment plan entails the closure of the defect through either open or laparoscopic methods, accompanied by the use of a suitable mesh to provide support. Nevertheless, no surgical method has yet been identified as the standard procedure for reducing the risk of relapse. We present the case of a 73-year-old female patient who presented with complaints of swelling in the left lumbar region and abdominal pain. The patient exhibited bilateral lumbar hernia. The hernial sac on the left side contained intra-abdominal organs. The diagnosis was confirmed by computed tomography. The defect on the left was subsequently closed with mesh following the dissection of the hernia sac. In this study, we present a case of bilateral lumbar hernia in the context of existing literature. The objective of this study was to assist clinicians in accurately diagnosing and appropriately managing this condition.

[Efficacy and safety of artificial intelligence-based large language models for decision making support in herniology: evaluation by experts and general surgeons]. / Effektivnost' i bezopasnost' bol'shikh yazykovykh modelei na osnove iskusstvennogo intellekta v kachestve instrumenta podderzhki prinyatiya reshenii v gerniologii: otsenka ekspertami i obshchimi khirurgami.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the quality of recommendations provided by ChatGPT regarding inguinal hernia repair. MATERIAL AND METHODS: ChatGPT was asked 5 questions about surgical management of inguinal hernias. The chat-bot was assigned the role of expert in herniology and requested to search only specialized medical databases and provide information about references and evidence. Herniology experts and surgeons (non-experts) rated the quality of recommendations generated by ChatGPT using 4-point scale (from 0 to 3 points). Statistical correlations were explored between participants' ratings and their stance regarding artificial intelligence. RESULTS: Experts scored the quality of ChatGPT responses lower than non-experts (2 (1-2) vs. 2 (2-3), p<0.001). The chat-bot failed to provide valid references and actual evidence, as well as falsified half of references. Respondents were optimistic about the future of neural networks for clinical decision-making support. Most of them were against restricting their use in healthcare. CONCLUSION: We would not recommend non-specialized large language models as a single or primary source of information for clinical decision making or virtual searching assistant.

[Strangulated hernia of the foramen of Winslow complicated by acute colonic obstruction]. / Ushchemlennaya gryzha Vinslova otverstiya, oslozhnennaya ostroi tolstokishechnoi neprokhodimost'yu.

Internal hernias, in particular, hernia of the foramen of Winslow, are rare and occur in typical sites. Laparotomy is common in these cases while laparoscopic surgery is rarely used in such urgent cases. However, modern diagnosis and treatment including computed tomography and laparoscopy allowing minimally invasive interventions are not an exception for patients with hernia of the foramen of Winslow. This approach is effective for this problem and prevents adverse outcomes of disease.

Laparoscopically assisted diaphragmatic hernia repair with mesh and a myocutaneous flap after left ventricular assist device explantation: A case report.

We report the case of a 32-year-old man who developed a giant diaphragmatic hernia following the removal of a left ventricular assist device 4 years prior due to improved cardiac function. Chest radiography revealed an intrathoracic prolapse of the gastrointestinal tract. The patient was diagnosed with a diaphragmatic hernia and a laparoscopy-assisted repair was performed. A 12 × 8 cm hernia was found intraoperatively on the left diaphragm, and a large portion of the gastrointestinal tract had prolapsed into the thoracic cavity. We attempted to repair the ventromedial defect using mesh; however, it was found to be insufficient. Therefore, we used a left rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap to fill the defect and sutured it to the mesh. A myocutaneous flap could be a useful strategy in cases where complete closure with mesh is difficult.